Dr. Elizabeth McConnell - Board Certified Colorectal Surgeon - Text-only Colon Cancer and Other Bowel Diseases

McConnell Colorectal Center

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Colonoscopy, Surgical Procedures, Colorectal Diseases, and Anal Diseases

Cancer (in combination with colon, bowel, rectal, polyp, colorectal)

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon or bowel cancer, includes growths which are cancerous in the colon, rectum and appendix. Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer. Colorectal cancer is also the second leading cause of death among cancers in the Western world. It is thought that many colorectal cancers are the result of adenomatous polyps in the colon. The polyps are mushroom-like growths which are most commonly benign. However, some of these growths may develop into cancer over the course of time. The diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy most of the time. Surgery is usually required and may be followed by chemotherapy.

Colon and Rectal Cancer. Cancer is an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells which form tumors. Tumors can cause other body tissues to be destroyed. All tumors are not cancerous. A tumor that is not cancerous is called a benign tumor. Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Cancerous tumors are called malignant.

Polyps are non-cancerous growths that may develop in the colon or rectum. Polyps are not calcareous. Polyps should be removed because they may become cancerous. If you have a colon or rectal polyp, there is a high possibility that you may develop more so therefore you should be examined regularly by your physician.

Signs of cancer:

    * Blood in the stool
    * Constant diarrhea or constipation
    * abdominal cramping which is non-stop
    * Stool size decreases
    * Bloating constantly in the abdominal or bowel
    * Weight loss
    * Fatigue

If colon cancer is detected early enough, surgery will most likely be performed. This type of surgery is called a colectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy will destroy cancer cells that have spread.

Rectal cancer takes place in the lower part of the large intestine.

Removal of the anus may be necessary if cancer is located in the low part of the rectum. A stoma (opening) is created in the abdomen to allow waste to exit.

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Many people have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots. A single pouch is called a diverticulum. More than one pouch is called diverticula. If one has diverticula, they have a condition called diverticulosis. Approximately ten percent of Americans who are older than 40 have the condition of diverticulosis. Approximately half of everyone over age 60 has the condition of diverticulosis.

If these pouches end up infected or inflamed, an individual will have a condition called diverticulitis. Approximately 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis develop diverticulitis.

Rectal Leakage

Rectal leakage may be caused several different ways. Internal hemorrhoids may be a reason rectal leakage is occurring. If pressure is increased in the sigmoid colon and the rectum is adding additional strain on the hemorrhoidal veins, this strain may cause the veins to protrude and swell. Internal hemorrhoids can rupture during a bowel movement which may cause bleeding. When the blood is mixed with the mucus of the intestines it causes rectal leakage. A colon or upper intestine cancer or polyp may also cause rectal leakage. Polyps may produce mucus and may bleed which would cause rectal leakage. Rectal leakage may be caused from using laxatives made of saline.

Rectal leakage may be a side effect of rectal cancer radiation treatment.